Alicia Keys made a strong and poignant assertion throughout her Grammys acceptance speech.
The artist was honored with the Dr. Dre World Influence Award in the course of the 2025 Grammys, and took a second to talk out in regards to the want for various voices.
“This isn’t the time to close down the variety of voices. We’ve seen on this stage gifted, hardworking folks from totally different backgrounds with totally different factors of view, and it modifications the sport,” she mentioned. “DEI shouldn’t be a risk, it’s a present.”
She continued, “And the extra voices, the extra energy for the sound. When harmful forces attempt to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix and as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all. So lovely.”
Keys inspired all to point out up with compassion, empathy, “soul care” and to proceed to open doorways for others.
Keys’ feedback come as President Donald Trump issued govt orders to place a cease to range, fairness and inclusion packages. In accordance with NBC Information, federal staff have been working to comply with orders prohibiting the help of DEI efforts inside authorities companies. That included a pause on all actions associated to cultural consciousness months and holidays comparable to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black Historical past Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Delight Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day and different “particular observances.”
Additionally in her speech, Keys mentioned that she’s “at all times needed to battle for a sure degree of respect” as a songwriter, composer and “particularly” as a producer. She mentioned that it’s “unusual” that folks don’t consider ladies as producers just like the late Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre or her husband, Swizz Beatz.
“However feminine producers have at all times powered the business,” she mentioned, calling out a couple of like Missy Elliott, Solange “and so many extra.”
The 2025 Grammys had been hosted by Trevor Noah. See all the most important, greatest and sudden moments, performances and winners in TODAY.com’s reside weblog.
